On disc: Argus

- Lars Bjørn -

Doom metal is still alive, and Argus has a good grip on the slow and doom sounds. Vocalist Butch Balich fix what could be the weaker points of Argus ways through the doom jungle, his voice saves several songs from going under, and Fading Silver Light gives us super doom metal in the right mid-tempo, very sharp and perfectly rounded by Balich's vocal achievements. Pieces Of Your Smile also has the great voice to underline the deep doom qualities on this song. A Curse On The World is strong, filled with guitars from Erik Johnson and the melodic rhythm completes this great song. The best shot from Argus is the heavy Durendal, with very blatant doom song that has influences from Judas Priest in the build of the rhythm, great stuff. Unfortunately half of the songs are in the lesser end where they drags the overall impact of the album in the wrong direction with unserious songs that should have been worked through more intensively before they were recorded, Abandoning The Gates Of Byzantium, Bold Stride The Doomed, The Ladder, The Ruins Of Ouroboros and Wolves Of Dusk.